R 031050 MAY 18FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-7//TO ALCOASTUNCLAS //N01650//ALCOAST 170/18COMDTNOTE 1650SUBJ: 2017 ORDER OF DAEDALIANS EXCEPTIONAL AVIATOR AWARD RECIPIENT1. COMDT (CG-7) is honored to announce LCDR Jason Hathaway of Sector /Air Station Corpus Christi, as the U.S. Coast Guard winner of the 2017Order of Daedalians Exceptional Aviator Award.2. With over 6,000 total flight hours in military and civilian aviation,Lieutenant Commander Hathaway was selected to be the unit AssistantAir Operations Officer. He diligently coordinated training with local,State, and Federal entities strengthening community partnerships.Through periodic joint training evolutions, he synchronized rescue effortsin high-altitude mountainous terrains and local maritime waterways withBig Bend National Park Services and SIGNET Maritime Corporation (SMC).These partnerships were invaluable during the response to Hurricane Harveyin Corpus Christi and Houston, Texas. Considering the size and strength ofthe storm, he developed a multi-layered joint interagency response thatallowed flexibility for aircrews to assist in the most devastated areas.Recognizing the storm’s altered path prior to landfall, he redirected theevacuation plan for the USCG MH-65D helicopters allowing them to stage outof an area where safe and effective rescue efforts could be executed.Fighting through severe weather conditions of winds up to 65 knots andvisibility less than one quarter mile, his leadership, courage, and superioraeronautical skills were unmatched. Lieutenant Commander Hathaway led twoMH-65s and a SMC vessel in the successful rescue of 15 survivors from foursunken, submerged, and aground vessels. Due to limited fuel on both aircraft,he established the SMC vessel as the recovery platform where all survivorswere transferred thus greatly streamlining rescue efforts. During oneparticularly challenging hoist between trees and two sets of power lines,Lieutenant Commander Hathaway expertly handled faulty autopilot inputs,Automatic Flight Control Stabilization (AFCS) system failures, and cockpitdisplay malfunctions. Flying with junior pilots throughout the storm, he wasboth a coach and mentor while successfully tackling aircraft malfunctionsresulting from water intrusion into cockpit avionics. Among severalrescues, Lieutenant Commander Hathaway directed an especially challenginghoist of a paraplegic child with a tracheotomy and associated medicalequipment. Battling 40 knot winds with low ceilings and less than onequarter mile visibility, he maneuvered the aircraft into the crosswind tokeep rain and wind from harming the child’s medical equipment. He thenensured a stable platform lifting the child away from rising flood waters.Displaying exceptional aviation acumen, he flew 15 sorties rescuing 77 lives.3. COMDT (CG-7) congratulates LCDR Jason Hathaway and the heroic effortsof his exemplary crews as they performed these life-saving missions.4. This year's selection process was extremely difficult. The nominationsreceived were truly outstanding, reflecting courageous service and aviationexcellence. COMDT (CG-7) would like to congratulate all of the nominees fortheir accomplishments, and thank the nominating commands for taking thetime to recognize their heroic efforts. They are all worthy of high honor,Bravo Zulu to all.5. Honorable mention goes out to the following pilots and air stations: LCDR Gregory T. Dahl, Air Station Kodiak LCDR Min H. Kim, Air Station Barbers Point LCDR Robert P. O’Donnell, CG HITRON LT Garin A. Kirkpatrick, Air Station Clearwater LT Jonathan D. Magin, Air Station Savannah LT George R. Matthews, Air Station Houston LT Myles A. Richardson, Air Station San Francisco LT James F. White, Sector San Diego6. CAPT B. A. Cooper, Acting Assistant Commandant for Capability, sends.7. Internet release authorized.